Illegal immigration pressures San Diego's citizens, institutions

I would like to make a few comments about the issue of closing our borders (see "Latter-day Know-Nothings," Dec. 19, page 4).

I would like to make a few comments about the issue of closing our borders (see "Latter-day Know-Nothings," Dec. 19, page 4). I live in San Diego, just 30 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The flow of illegal aliens needs to be stopped now. I do not blame people who want to come to America for a better life. The conditions in Mexico and South America are deplorable. However, there are procedures for emigrating to the United States. The people from Mexico who want to live here need to follow these procedures and apply for citizenship.

Two weeks ago my truck was rear-ended by an illegal alien. He had no insurance and a suspended driver's license. (Why the DMV issues driver's licenses to illegal aliens is beyond me.) Well guess what, all of our insurance rates are higher due to these illegal drivers.

A very large percentage of stolen cars in the San Diego area end up in Mexico. A friend of mine's truck was stolen and taken to Mexico, and recovered a few weeks later by the Border Patrol. The truck, which was heavily damaged, had been used to smuggle illegal aliens into this country. When the truck was stopped, it contained 17 illegals.

This time of year the Highway Patrol and Border Patrol find dead illegals in San Diego's mountain areas. These illegals have frozen to death trying to enter this country. They are not prepared for cold-weather conditions. Did you read about the semi-truck full of illegals left to die when the truck was abandoned? The illegals are also victims of robbers and rapists. Stop the flow of illegals and you will stop the needless deaths of these people.

After the illegals have made it across the border (after paying several thousand dollars each) and have avoided robbery, rape or murder, they start looking for food and shelter. Guess what, they break into houses and steal. Who pays for the damage and stolen property? We all do with higher insurance rates.

Our schools are overcrowded with illegal children. Their parents are not paying taxes to support education. All of our children are affected.

At the same time, employers need incentives not to hire illegals. These incentives are fines and jail time for hiring illegals.
John McCosh, Chief EngineerPsiber Data Systems Inc., San Diego

Illegals show 'contempt' for U.S.

It is typical of both Republican neoconservatives and Democratic liberals to state their opinions as facts, and to assume that anyone with a different opinion is ignorant, or a "know-nothing."

In his opinion piece, Loring Wirbel mentions the European immigration wave from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. These immigrants were legal, demanded no social services, learned to speak English and were proud to become U.S. citizens. They assimilated into the American culture, bringing the best of their cultures to the table. The current wave of illegals who sneak across the border and receive free education, free medical care and many other social services shows no better than contempt for U.S. culture.

Crime in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is way up, especially murder involving Hispanics, mostly illegal. California has been ravaged financially and socially by these waves of Hispanics, whose violence is the worst Los Angeles has ever seen. Hospitals in California have closed because they can no longer afford to treat these illegals for free.

As far as taking jobs that no American would do, that is solely a function of economics. If a fair, living wage were paid for these jobs, Americans would be lined up to take them. The real reason to advocate illegal immigration is greed, just as the reason for outsourcing professional jobs is greed.

I have no objection at all to immigration as long as it is done legally. Illegal immigration will change the U.S. forever, and not in a good way. The U.S. culture has become a multiculture. Multiculturalism not only destroys national identity, it also affirms the assertion by this new wave of illegals that American culture is bad, as are American people.

Where do you live, Mr. Wirbel? Any illegals in your midst? Why don't you invite them to move to your town, go to school with your kids and blight your community?
Joe DeRosaDirector of EngineeringSonic Systems Inc.Stratford, Conn.